Get your car ready for Summer

While most of us love summer weather, the past few we have experienced in Melbourne have been particularly hot. Scorching heatwaves with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees is enough to leave anyone feeling exhausted!

While we manage our way through these periods seeking out swimming pools, ice creams and air conditioning, our cars are put under additional strain. High ambient temperatures can affect your car in many different ways, from damaging paintwork, to leaving you stranded on the side of the road.

This article looks at some of the common faults as a result of high ambient temperatures, and how we can reduce the chances of it happening to you this summer.

1) Engine Cooling System

Most prestige vehicles are filled with long life coolant, which does not require regular flushing. The plastic fittings and rubber hoses however, are prone to leaks. A small trace of coolant build up around these fittings is a clear indication of future leaks. In extreme temperatures, these small trace leaks can become a major leak, causing your engine to overheat.

Have your service centre perform a cooling system pressure check and visual inspection. This can detect leakages, and repairing them before they become a serious issue will not just save you money, but also prevent you being stranded on the side of the road on a hot day!

2) Battery and vehicle electronics

Vehicles are now heavily reliant on electronics. Various computers, sensors and actuators perform everything from unlocking your door, to keeping the engine’s emissions in check. All these systems require stable battery voltage. A failing crank sensor or overcharging alternator will leave you with a car that either does not start, or enter a failsafe mode which we call ‘limp mode’. Imagine you are on a road trip, and your car doesn’t accelerate normally, go over 50kph or shift out of first gear!

A diagnostic test, along with a battery and alternator output check, can alert us to future problems. Next time you get your car serviced, ensure your mechanic is capable and performs these checks on your car, and lets you know the results.

While both these items require a skilled technician to perform, you can still keep an eye on a few important things this summer.

3) Paintwork / Interior protection

It isn’t always possible to keep your car away from direct sunlight, and we all obviously seek out undercover parking whenever possible. UV not only damages paint, it can also deform or harden interior trims. Plastic switches can become brittle and fall apart in normal use.

Bird droppings when baked on in the sun can permanently damage paint, so get it off as fast as possible. Regular washing and polishing is normally enough, you don’t need to purchase expensive paint protection packages! If you are spending the summer by the beach, keep in mind that salt water in the air damages your car much faster, so wash it more frequently!

4) Tyres

Everyone knows they should check their tyre pressures, but few actually do! Keeping correct inflation increases tyre life, and prevents irregular wear. Next time you have a look at the tread level on your tyres, have a close look at the inner edges. Cars with low profile tyres are susceptible to inner edge wear caused by under inflation or incorrect alignment. Tyre tread often wears right through the steel belts on the inner edge and separates from the casing, leading to a blowout.

Check your pressures when cold. The pressure difference will be dramatically different if they are checked after the car has been driven for a while and at full operating temperature. Check your tyre placard for the manufacturers specifications, normally located on the fuel filler flap. You might have to get on your hands and knees to check the inner edges of your tyres for wear, or turn your steering to its full lock position to get an even better look!

If your car hasn’t been serviced in a while, don’t put it off till the end of the year. A pre summer service or check over at Ammstar Autohaus may just make your summer more enjoyable!

Call us today on 03 9585 1676 or book online at ammstarautohaus.com.au

What you can expect from us

Need answers before you are ready to choose Ammstar? Here is some more information about what we do and we operate.

About

Find out how we work, our values, and what to expect when you service with us.

Transport

Ready to book in but not sure what to do without your car for the day? View our transport options and suggestions.

Pricing

Like to know how much your service will cost before booking in? Request pricing or view our special offers.

Find out how we work, our values, and what to expect when you service with us.

Ready to book in but not sure what to do without your car for the day? View our transport options and suggestions.

Like to know how much your service will cost before booking in? Request pricing or view our special offers.

How

Values

Expect

Who knows your car best?

While you might think your selling dealer knows your car best, specialist workshops like ours get to experience all kinds of complex issues. As vehicles come out of warranty, people (just like you!) begin to search for an alternative to dealership servicing. Our systematic approach to diagnosis gives us an edge, allows us to learn quickly, and continually build upon our existing knowledge. The most difficult problems make us the best at what we do.

Problems?

We have solutions. Our qualified specialists find problems in the most efficient way possible. Our methods and diagnostic equipment help take the complexity out of difficult problems. We won’t just keep billing you diagnostic hours without you knowing, and in many cases we will cap our diagnostic billing hours to an agreed value.

Structure

Our service processes are streamlined and digital. All of our technicians service cars in the same way! We have achieved this by working only on a select few brands, refining the process and communicating it across all of our workshops through training and regular meetings.

Right tools for the job

Some repairs take specialist tooling and can’t be performed by any old school mechanic. We have the resources and tools to perform the task to specification.

Guaranteed

We believe in doing things right the first time, and by using only genuine or OEM parts we can ensure the quality of our workmanship. All of our repairs are covered by a 2 year / 50,000km warranty, covering you from manufacturing defects.

Strength

With three workshops across Melbourne, we have big buying power. We also have our own network of information sharing, and our knowledge base is continually growing. By working together, we can bring you high quality service at great pricing.

Expect dealer standards... and more

We pride ourselves on the quality of our workmanship, and take care in everything we do. Having been independent automotive experts for a long time we have developed our own structure and processes. We make sure we service the car to the specified manufacturers level, and beyond! We also take into consideration the age of particular vehicles, and look at other items we know are important.

What do people like you think?

Our customer’s love the service they receive when they find us. Most of our clients buy a new car and service at the dealer for a few years, before realising they are not only paying way too much, but aren’t getting the service they deserve! One visit to Ammstar, and you will be wondering why you ever returned to the factory dealers in the first place! Here is what some of our latest customers are saying…

Going green

While we keep our shop and your car clean, we understand how our actions affect the world around us. Our sustainability policy helps make us environmentally and socially responsible. We limit our printing, and do more things electronically. We recycle as much cardboard, metal and waste oil as we can, and dispose of hazardous materials correctly.

How much will it cost?

Have you ever received an invoice and expected it to be less? Know what you are paying for with our itemised quoting system. You will never arrive to collect your car and find we have performed additional jobs without your approval, or a particular part ended up costing more than we said. Our aim is to give you complete transparency.

We’ve got some skills, do you?

We never stop learning. We keep up to date with industry information, and regularly conduct our own in house training for technical staff. Are you a skilled mechanic with a passion for one of our favorite brands? If you are looking for a career with meaning and have an eye for detail we really should be talking. Please send us your CV.

Know what you are paying for

You won't get any hand written ambiguous invoice from us. All of our service and repair invoices are itemised, showing a complete breakdown of parts, labour, oils, GST and other charges. We can even email you the invoice to you before you have picked the car up!

You choose the extras

When we service your car, we follow a standard process. We will report back to you with what we find, and if we think there is something that needs attention we will provide you with an itemised quote! We won’t ever forget it is your car, and will only report to you the facts.

No upsells!

You won’t get any pressure selling tactics from us. We check out your car, and report back to you with our findings. If we find worn out, leaking or broken items, we will provide you with a full quote! We won’t be offering any unnecessary additional service items like oil and fuel additives.

Get the best price

We have lower overheads than factory dealers, source original parts from all over the globe and our loan car fleet isn’t being factored in to the price of the service. While we use the best parts and do the job correctly, we know you want great value. We also know what you expect from us, a nice clean shop, highly skilled technicians and excellent customer service.

Our oil makes the grade

Whether it be a Mercedes-Benz A200 or Audi RS5, cars of today have strict oil requirements. We only use high quality factory and OEM lubricants suitable for your car, such as the fully synthetic range from Mobil, including Mobil 1 0w40, X2 5w40, and the low ash Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 for modern diesel engines.

Book a courtesy car

Prefer to just keep moving or need to get to work? We can provide you a loan vehicle on the day of your service if required.* Bookings for loan cars are essential and subject to availability.
*A current driver licence is required, please ensure you have it with you on the day of service. Contact us for full terms and conditions.

Get to work

Work in the city? Have you considered catching the train? We can drop you off at Cheltenham station and pick you up in the afternoon. Be sure to check out the current Departure times and plan your trip using the PTV journey planner. Don’t forget your Myki!

Go home

Do you live locally? If you live in our immediate area (5km radius) we can offer you a ride home, and pick you up when your car is ready.
Available within our determined boundaries. Please feel free to contact us to discuss.

Go shopping

There is no shortage of shops with the DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) just a short walk away, or let us drop you off at Southland Shopping Centre. Be warned, you might spend more at the shops than you do on your car service!

See a movie

If shopping isn’t really your thing, why not see a movie? Check out the session times at Village cinemas southland. When your car is ready, we will discreetly text you, and arrange to pick you up.

Just stay home

Stuck at home with kids and all a bit too hard to drop off? We can help. If you live in our local radius we can arrange your car to be picked up, and dropped back to you in the afternoon!

Get active

If we are just performing a quick check or minor part fitment, why not grab a coffee to go and go for a walk through Kingston Heath Reserve? It is located just across the road and has a variety of walking paths, playgrounds and facilities.

Service specials starting from $297

With a comprehensive service starting from just $297, free loan cars and other transport options available, there has never been a better time to service your Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi or Volkswagen.

Our skilled technicians are experts and the ONLY cars we service are BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volkswagen. We will take the utmost of care servicing your vehicle, and provide you with a full report upon completion. We will even wash and vacuum your car as part of the service!

We will do only the work you authorise us to do, and would NEVER do anything without your approval, guaranteed!

To find out how much the service is on your car, call us today or simply fill in the quote request form, and we will get back to you fast!

Request a quote

Please let us know what service or repair you would like us to assist you with, and we will get in contact with you as soon as possible! Adding a valid VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) will help us provide an accurate quote.

Name*

Email*

Phone*

Valid registration number or VIN*

Tell us more about your service

Your personal information is safe with Ammstar Autohaus. It will be handled in accordance with our privacy policy, and will NEVER be shared with anyone outside of our organisation.

Book Online

Please provide us with a valid vehicle registration number and model description, to ensure we can provide an accurate service cost. We will send you an email confirming the service cost, booking date and availability of loan car, generally by the end of the same business day!